New Iowa license plates

Clones123

Active Member
May 5, 2016
139
173
43
Des Moines, IA
That's an optional/specialized plate. The standard plate is below.

https://www.in.gov/bmv/2620.htm
plate-placeholder.jpg
I've never once seen those plates. Only the flag alternate, the bicentennial one, and the solid blue and white one. I didn't know this one existed until just now!
 

VeloClone

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2010
47,885
38,328
113
Brooklyn Park, MN
But what about H1LT0N?? I'm a genius!
According to the rules you can't use the number 0 on a personalized plate.

Personalized License Plates in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) offers personalization of the standard Iowa license plate as well as most special plate designs.

You can create your own custom tag number for your personalized license plate; however, it must meet IA DOT guidelines to be approved:
  • Your personalized plate must have at least 2 letters and no more than 7 characters.
  • The plate CANNOT have:
    • The number “0".
    • Punctuation.
    • Existing character combinations.
  • The language CANNOT:
    • Be offensive, profane, vulgar, hostile, or prejudiced.
    • Use offensive foreign language.
    • Show affiliation with a government agency.

Source: https://www.dmv.org/ia-iowa/special-license-plates.php
 

Clones123

Active Member
May 5, 2016
139
173
43
Des Moines, IA
598c8803c41e9.image.png


Here were the three options for those that were wondering. My big issue with the one they picked is that 801 Grand isn't even drawn correctly. Where is the pointed roof?
 

Clonefan32

Well-Known Member
Nov 19, 2008
23,349
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  • Funny
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Clonefan32

Well-Known Member
Nov 19, 2008
23,349
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There was an article in the Des Moines Register today that said, "A new state license plate is catching on with some Iowa vehicle owners." Yeah right. I think they look horrible. It is like there is some new federal government regulation that prevents them from having design behind the numbers. And maybe that is a good thing for safety. The strips across the top and bottom are cool, but overall it is not good-looking. Your thoughts?

AR-180329785.jpg&MaxH=500&MaxW=900

Two things that irk me about this plate:

1) The skyline is nothing like Des Moins. How hard would it be to make the silhouette look like actual buildings? There aren't that many of them in Des Moines...

2) The bottom looks like an unkept yard. It's not rural, it's not a corn field, it's a lawn that needs mowed with weeds growing in it.
 
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Acylum

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2006
14,209
14,841
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I've got to admit, for some reason this line in that story had my laughing out loud:

"...the way the man in the image is holding his grain satchel appears sexually suggestive."

I'm not sure how you could be holding your "grain satchel" and not have it be sexually suggestive.
 
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BigBake

Well-Known Member
Mar 17, 2006
6,768
628
113
49
U'dale
I don't begrudge the artist or group that had to do the design. I don't see why it was needed in the first place. Given the three options posted above "none of the above" should have been a valid answer. How much money was spent on this that could have been spent on more appropriate and necessary items.

Disclaimer: bought a 3rd car (no trade) and got issued the new plates. I don't like them and the colors are stupid. In the end I'm only motivated enough to post a response on a random message board. The plates are on the car and I realize they won't change.
 

Cyclones_R_GR8

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Feb 10, 2007
23,784
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Omaha
I've got to admit, for some reason this line in that story had me laughing out loud:

"...the way the man in the image is holding his grain satchel appears sexually suggestive."

I'm not sure how you could be holding your "grain satchel" and not have it be sexually suggestive.
The PG-13 version of my description.
 

k123

Well-Known Member
Sep 14, 2011
1,143
1,033
113
Iowa
Two things that irk me about this plate:

1) The skyline is nothing like Des Moins. How hard would it be to make the silhouette look like actual buildings? There aren't that many of them in Des Moines...

2) The bottom looks like an unkept yard. It's not rural, it's not a corn field, it's a lawn that needs mowed with weeds growing in it.

I agree with point 2. If it had been a combo of the winning plate and the bottom of the other "Town & Country" plate, I think people would be more positive. I get that the grass represents "growth" or something, and that the top of the winner already had a 'town and country' anyway, but 1.5 country is about right for Iowa! It also would have gotten rid of the neon factor. upload_2018-6-21_13-38-29.png

Anyway, I think they are "fine", and didn't think the nearly invisible barn thing on the old ones was that great anyway. OTOH, if we were given these after having Oregon's or Colorado's old plates, then I'd be upset.

Edit...and now I see the person above me said almost the same thing. Oh well
 
Last edited:

cyfanatic

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2006
7,029
3,070
113
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
598c8803c41e9.image.png


Here were the three options for those that were wondering. My big issue with the one they picked is that 801 Grand isn't even drawn correctly. Where is the pointed roof?

I remember seeing the vote online...but none jumped out at me! But now when I look at them...the plate that looks like our state flag is great! How did that not win?
 

k123

Well-Known Member
Sep 14, 2011
1,143
1,033
113
Iowa
I would like something like this but it's not available. My understanding is that they took the Dordt college plate and modified it but I'm not sure.
OK maybe not, if it was a college plate it wouldn't have the county. No clue how this person got this plate.

MoeYvN6.jpg

You're definitely right about the Dordt part. I googled Dordt College plates and this was an image result - looks like a special plastic frame to "black out" (or "white out!") the rest. Interesting they "add the county back in" to make it more standard after making it un-standard.
http://blackoutframe.wixsite.com/legacy-bfwebsite

This would be a good test case for the state code that was cited in the IA Supreme Court case where the officer pulled someone over for a successful drug bust on the pretense of having part of their plate - the county name - covered by a plate holder. In this black out case, the were careful to not obscure "Iowa", the plate ID number, nor the registration tag, and they ADDED the county name which is not id'd on collegiate plates. So is there a problem with blocking out the inessential Dordt parts? Even if technically it violates the code per below? Seems like it could be ruled thus. Part 3 (pasted below) is there for the county/reg tag part. However, (unintentionally?) the code as written seems to include the Dordt part. Oh, the unforeseen consequences of Positive Legislation:

https://www.radioiowa.com/2014/05/0...y-names-have-to-be-visible-on-license-plates/

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.37.pdf
3. It is unlawful for the owner of a vehicle to place any frame around or over the registration plate which does not permit full view of all numerals and letters printed on the registration plate.​
 
Last edited:
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dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,476
5,803
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50131
You're definitely right about the Dordt part. I googled Dordt College plates and this was an image result - looks like a special plastic frame to "black out" (or "white out!") the rest. Interesting they "add the county back in" to make it more standard after making it un-standard.
http://blackoutframe.wixsite.com/legacy-bfwebsite

This would be a good test case for the state code that was cited in the IA Supreme Court case where the officer pulled someone over for a successful drug bust on the pretense of having part of their plate - the county name - covered by a plate holder. In this black out case, the were careful to not obscure "Iowa", the plate ID number, nor the registration tag, and they ADDED the county name which is not id'd on collegiate plates. So is there a problem with blocking out the inessential Dordt parts? Even if technically it violates the code per below? Seems like it could be ruled thus. Part 3 (pasted below) is there for the county/reg tag part. However, (unintentionally?) the code as written seems to include the Dordt part. Oh, the unforeseen consequences of Positive Legislation:

https://www.radioiowa.com/2014/05/0...y-names-have-to-be-visible-on-license-plates/

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.37.pdf
3. It is unlawful for the owner of a vehicle to place any frame around or over the registration plate which does not permit full view of all numerals and letters printed on the registration plate.​

Good catch, I have no clue how you found that.
 

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